Meaning & use
without peer
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Meaning
phrasefixed phraseformal
better than anyone or anything else of the same kind; having no equal
Grammar: Used after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem': He is without peer. It cannot be used before a noun.
Patterns
- be without peer
- be without peer as something
- be without peer in something
As a pianist, she is without peer.
The city's public transport system is without peer in the region.
His knowledge of ancient history is without peer.
Common combinations
- be without peer
- In the field of genetics, she is without peer.
- without peer as
- He is without peer as a teacher.
- without peer in
- The company is without peer in customer service.
Synonyms and how they differ
- unmatched
- More common and can be used before a noun (unmatched skill); 'without peer' is more formal and usually comes after the verb.
- peerless
- An adjective meaning the same, but it is used before a noun (peerless beauty); 'without peer' is a phrase used after a verb.
- unrivaled
- Similar meaning, often used for achievements or quality; 'without peer' is a bit more literary and personal.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: without peer or peerless?
without peer vs peerless
'Peerless' is an adjective used before a noun (a peerless performance). 'Without peer' is a phrase used after a verb (Her performance is without peer).
Practice
Which sentence uses 'without peer' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 1 correctly uses 'without peer' after the verb 'are' to mean 'having no equal'. Option 0 is wrong because 'without peer' cannot be used before a noun; 'peerless' would be correct there. Option 2 is wrong because the phrase cannot be used as an adverb before a verb. Option 3 is wrong because 'without peer' does not take 'of'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “without peer”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.